673888-1884-Hydrographic-Notices- — Page 1

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH AUGUST, 1884.

Formal note was taken of this declaration on the part of his Excellency the Ambassador of Great Britain.

M. Léopold Orban read the following declaration in the name of the Belgian Government :— "The Belgian Government, through its Delegate at the Conference, has maintained that the Convention has no effect on the rights of belligerent Powers; these rights would be, after signing, neither more nor less extended than they are at present. The reference inserted in Article XV, though absolutely useless in the view of the Belgian Government, would not justify it in refusing to join in an object the importance of which was beyond dispute.

Formal note was taken of this declaration of M. Léopold Orban.

Baron de Zuylen de Nyerelt stated that the Netherlands Government, in signing the Convention, could undertake to accede at present only as regards the mother country. It reserved to itself the power to accede later to this Convention for the whole or for part of its Colonies or possessions.

Formal note was taken of this declaration of the Minister of the Netherlands.

The Minister of Sweden and Norway stated that his instructions require him to reserve, in signing the Convention, the subsequent approval of the legislatures of the United Kingdoms.

The President took formal note of this declaration of the Minister of Sweden and Norway, while observing futher that the reservation for the fulfilment of the formalities required by the different constitutions, before exchanging the ratifications of the Convention, was the right of all the Contract- ing States.

Taking into consideration the large number of the Contracting Parties, and following the method of proceeding already adopted at the time of the ratification of the Treaties relative to the redemption of the Sound Dues and the Scheldt tolls, of the Telegraph Convention at Paris and of the Metre Con- vention, it was agreed, on the proposal of the President, that the exchange of ratifications for the pro- tection of submarine cables should be effected through the Government of the French Republic.

The Plenipotentiaries decided further that the document which had just been signed should be brought to the cognizance of all the non-Signatory States, which should be invited to take advantage of the power of accession which is reserved to them by Article XIV of the Convention.

It was agreed that this communication should be left to the care of the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Government of the French Republic would likewise receive notifications of accession, which might come in before the date fixed for the Convention to come into force.

The present Minutes, drawn up during the sitting, having been read and approved, the Conference rated at 3 o'clock.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 292.

The following Hydrographic Notices are published for general information.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Oflice, Hongkong, 16th August, 1884.

Government of China.

CANTON DISTRICT.

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS No. 15.

Torpedoes and Barriers in Canton River.

FREDERICK STEWART,

Acting Colonial Secretary,

Notice is hereby given that the Channels through the Torpedo positions will be marked on either side by red buoys, to which are moored small mandarin Junks which are to fly a red flag by day and exhibit two white lights, one over the other, by night. At present these marks will be found at the 2nd Bar, and in Cambridge and Blenheim Reaches. Should these marks from any cause not be visible, vessels are warned that they should not proceed.

Great cantion should be exercised in passing the Barrier south of No. 3 Flat Island, now in course of construction, as there are scattered piles; these may not be lighted.

C. H. PALMER,

Approved:

F. E. WOODRUFF,

Commission, e of Customs,

Harbour Master.

CUSTOM HOUSE, CANTON, 13th August, 1884.

Government of South Australia.

NOTICE TO MARINERS. (No. 6 of 1884.)

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN. SANDBANK.

Notice is hereby given that the Master of the British Ship Cambrian Princess, on a voyage from Cooktown to Port Adelaide, has reported the existence, in Lat. 15° 44′ S., and Long, 149° 52′ E., of a Sandkank, about 3 miles in length, and, apparently, 6 feet out of water; no outlying reefs or discolored water was visible from the masthead.

R. HI. FERGUSON,

Marine Board Office, Port Adelaide, 7th June, 1884.

President Marine Board.